Pride of the Murray paddle wheeler resurfaced after six months at the bottom of the Thomson River

by Danielle Lancaster

Rescuing the Pride of the Murray has been no easy feat.(Supplied: Steve Bradshaw)

The Pride of the Murray has been raised after a major operation to salvage the vessel from the depths of the Thomson River.

Now sitting on the riverbank, this is the first time in six months the 99-year-old paddle wheeler has been above the muddy water. 

The paddle wheeler sunk at its mooring just weeks out from the start of the peak tourist season earlier this year.

Since March 6, only the highest point of the vessel has been visible — but this week, more and more of the paddle wheeler was gradually revealed as it was successfully floated from the riverbed. 

As the name suggests, the Thomson River is far from the vessel's original home. 

The Pride of the Murray was trucked almost 1,750 kilometres last year, from Echuca in central Victoria to Longreach in western Queensland after being bought by tourism company Outback Pioneers.  

Owner and tourism operator Richard Kinnon said harnesses and flotation devices were used to raise the 24-metre, 100-tonne vessel. 

For Mr Kinnon, seeing the historic paddle wheeler emerge was a huge relief. 

"It was an emotional moment because it was as if she'd come alive," Mr Kinnon said. 

"The dear old lady said, 'Come on, get me out of here.'"

Mammoth salvage effort on the Thomson River

Resurfacing the vessel was no easy feat. 

An exclusion zone was set up around the site on Monday as a crew of more than 30 people carried out the complex operation.

Mr Kinnon said it started with divers securing harnesses, then attaching big airbags to the boat. 

"The boys have been working all day solid at just getting the big sausage airbags in place to bring her out safely," he said.

"It's been a really big couple of days."

Mr Kinnon said authorities would now examine the vessel to investigate why it sank.  

"We probably won't know that until next week until they've done all their assessments and all the rest of it."

Outback Pioneers owner Richard Kinnon looks upon his sunken vessel for the
first time in six months, as it was salvaged from the Thomson River, Longreach, Queensland, 5/9/23.(Supplied: Outback Pioneers) 

Repairing the Pride of the Murray

Mr Kinnon said it was too early to know whether the Pride of the Murray could be restored, but he hoped to see it back on the water to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.

"I have got no doubt in my mind. If it's humanly possible to rebuild her and bring her back to her former glory … I've got no doubt this can be done," he said.

"She's 100 in April. How good would that be? Outback Queensland celebrating the start of the tourist season with her being launched and ready for the season."

Mr Kinnon is trying to raise $1.5 million for restoration costs. 

History of Pride of the Murray

The Pride of the Murray has served many purposes throughout its 99-year life. Originally built as a barge to tow other boats in 1924, the vessel became a timber transporter on the Murray River. 

This is not the first time the paddle wheeler has sat at the bottom of a riverbed after being intentionally sunk in the late 1960s. 

The vessel was resurfaced, repaired and relaunched as a diesel-electric passenger vessel, becoming an iconic tourist attraction.

The paddle wheeler on the Murray River in 1985.(Supplied: Karen Tully)

First published at ABC Western Queensland, September 7, 2023